Saratoga Passage facts for kids
Saratoga Passage is a waterway in Puget Sound. It lies between two islands: Whidbey Island and Camano Island. It's a beautiful area known for its wildlife and history.
Where is Saratoga Passage?
Saratoga Passage stretches for about 18 miles. It goes from its start near Sandy Point on Whidbey Island and Camano Head on Camano Island. At its northern end, it connects to Penn Cove and Crescent Harbor. It also leads east into Skagit Bay.
The water in the passage is quite deep. It's about 600 feet deep at the southern entrance. It gets shallower, about 90 feet, near Crescent Harbor. Langley, Washington is the only city right on the passage. It's located on Whidbey Island.
Most of the land along the passage has high banks. These banks are covered with trees, sand, and clay. There are four communities on the Whidbey Island side that have low banks right by the water:
- Sandy Point
- Langley
- Bells Beach
- Fox Spit
The beaches here are made of gravel and sand. The tide often goes out a long way, showing more of the beach.
Boats and Sea Life
Many boats use Saratoga Passage. Most of them are for fun, like recreational boats, or for fishing. Sometimes you might see tugs passing through. They might be going to or from Deception Pass or the Swinomish Channel.
Fast passenger ferries also use this passage. These ferries travel between Seattle, Victoria, and Friday Harbor. They use Saratoga Passage and Deception Pass when the weather is rough in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This area is generally a popular place for vacations and tourism.
You can find lots of sea creatures here. Dungeness crab, clams, and flatfish are common. In the past, many salmon swam through here. They were on their way to rivers on the mainland. However, salmon runs have almost disappeared now. The small fish they used to eat, like candlefish and herring, are also much harder to find. Most fishing on the southern end of Whidbey Island happens on the western side. This includes places like Possession Sound, Mutiny Bay, or Double Bluff.
How Saratoga Passage Got Its Name
Saratoga Passage was named by Charles Wilkes. He was part of the United States Exploring Expedition from 1838 to 1842. He named it after the Saratoga. This was a famous ship used by Thomas MacDonough during the Battle of Plattsburgh in the War of 1812.
Wilkes first named Camano Island MacDonough Island. This was also to honor the naval commander. But that name was changed in 1847. Henry Kellett updated the official British maps. Wilkes' name MacDonough was changed to Camano. This new name honored the Spanish explorer Jacinto Caamaño. However, Wilkes' name Saratoga Passage stayed.
Before Wilkes, George Vancouver had named Saratoga Passage "Port Gardner" in 1792. He named it after Vice-Admiral Sir Alan Gardner. Today, the name Port Gardner is still used. It is the bay and harbor of Everett. Port Susan, the water east of Camano Island, was also named by Vancouver. It honors Lady Gardner, who was Sir Alan's wife.
